It seems as if the dreaded "C" continued to plague our family. My husband, the latest to be stricken, was diagnosed in April 2014 with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I lost him in November 2016. Every day I count my blessings that we moved to North Central Florida where he was in the hands of the incredible medical staff at Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

Radiation for me ended in August 2010 so I just completed the last year.* Hard to believe it has been so long since I spent every morning all summer long under the radiation machine. Life is good and being a survivor is happiness beyond description. Frequent exams will help keep me cancer free and I will remain alert to any indication that the dreaded "C" has returned.

I am so blessed to four wonderful children, four amazing grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren and friends who are always there for me if I need them. I'm constantly reminded of how much I have to be thankful for. Life is much too short to obsess over things that are not life threatening or things that can't be changed.

A bout with cancer (or in my case, two bouts) and my husband's bout with cancer, has an amazing ability to help put things in proper perspective. There are enough life threatening issues to deal with as it is.

To all, have a wonderful happy holiday season in 2017, and a healthy and happy 2018, and, don't forget to take care of yourselves.

*The medical community is now considering a ten year post breast cancer regimen for the type of cancer I had. For me, a pill a day for five years was no big deal -- especially if it kept me cancer free.